Vegas Golden Knights have managed to win the Alec Martinez sweepstakes and strike a deal with Los Angeles Kings for the in-demand defenseman. The team officially announced the acquisition of Martinez on Wednesday.
According to Golden Knights’ press release, the team sent two second-round picks to Los Angeles in order to get Martinez. Kings will receive Vegas’ pick in 2020 and another in 2021 via St. Louis Blues.
Martinez emerged as one of the most sought-after defensemen prior to the trade deadline, with several teams making advances for the player. He played 41 games this season, contributing with one goal and seven assists.
“We get a guy with real good leadership ability. Very versatile in that he plays left defense and right defense equally well. Excellent penalty-killing defenseman. Good in transition, and a player that we really feel is going to improve our team and have a significant impact on our group,” said Golden Knights’ general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
Alec Martinez spent his entire NHL career with Los Angeles Kings, helping the team to two Stanley Cups and becoming a fan favorite in the process. However, following the team’s poor run in recent two seasons, Kings decided to move him to get the most value as they gear up for the rebuild.
Vegas Golden Knights, on the other hand, are trying to strengthen their roster for another playoff run. With the addition of Martinez, they get a player who can immediately contribute and provide a valuable postseason experience.
Martinez played a total of 597 NHL games, contributing with 62 goals and 136 assists for a total of 198 points. He was also part of the United States’ national team that won bronze at 2018’s Ice Hockey World Championship.
